noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English nernes, from ner near + -nes -ness
: the quality or state of being near: as
a. : close relationship or resemblance
confused by the nearness of their names
b. : intimacy
lost the nearness of the first months of their marriage
c. : proximity in space or time
shyly aware of her nearness to the cowboy — Zane Grey
d. : frugality , stinginess